Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has revealed a major Shs6.8 trillion water expansion plan by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), as government intensifies efforts to increase access to safe and reliable water across Uganda. The investment is part of broader plans to strengthen water and sanitation infrastructure for households, businesses and productive activities.Musasizi said access to clean and safe water remains essential to improving public health and supporting economic development. He made the remarks in Kampala during the launch of Flow of Purpose, a book written by Dr Callist Tindimugaya, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Planning and Regulation at the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The minister pointed to the Integrated Water Management and Development Project, valued at about Shs1.3 trillion, as one of the major government investments in the water and sanitation sector. He also highlighted water-for-production projects, including village gravity-flow schemes, bulk water systems and livestock dams being developed in different parts of the country.Musasizi said government is also expanding water infrastructure in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. He cited the Kampala Water and Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project in Ggaba, saying the investment has helped increase water production for the metropolitan area by tens of millions of litres each day.He further highlighted the NWSC Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, which is valued at approximately $1.8 billion, equivalent to about Shs6.8 trillion. The plan is aimed at expanding access to clean water and strengthening water services as Uganda experiences population growth and rapid urbanisation.
The minister said government is simultaneously investing in irrigation to reduce the country’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Among the initiatives are solar-powered irrigation systems under Nexus Green and the Farm Income Enhancement and Forest Conservation Programme, which covers 19 districts in northern and eastern Uganda.Other projects include the Shs73 billion expansion of the Atari River Basin Irrigation Scheme in Kween and Bulambuli, the approximately Shs71 billion Acomai Irrigation Scheme in Bukedea, the Namatala wetland irrigation system covering Budaka, Mbale and Butaleja, and the rehabilitation of the Agoro Irrigation Scheme in Lamwo District.
Musasizi also stressed the importance of protecting Uganda’s lakes, rivers, wetlands and forests as the country pursues its 10-fold growth strategy and the target of achieving a $500 billion economy by 2040. At the book launch, government officials also praised Dr Tindimugaya for his more than three decades of work in the water sector, with NWSC Managing Director Eng. Silver Mugisha describing him as a leading figure in water resources management
